Challenges and Risks of Genetically Engineered Organisms
Hide / Show Abstract

Challenges and Risks of Genetically Engineered Organisms

This book discusses the often diverging risks and opportunities associated with genetically engineered organisms in terms of the environment, food safety, and economics and trade. These issues were raised at the OECD Workshop on Challenges and Risks of GMOs - What Risk Analysis is Appropriate? Options for Future Policy Making Towards Integrated Agro-Food Systems, held in Maastricht, Netherlands, in July 2003.  Discussions also covered the relevant WTO Agreements and their relationship with other multilateral accords as well as  regional and national approaches.

Publication Date :
30 Aug 2004
DOI :
10.1787/9789264108783-en
 
Chapter
 

A Farmer's Perspective on GMOs Risk Analysis You do not have access to this content

Authors:
Jerry Ploehn
Pages :
191–200
DOI :
10.1787/9789264108783-17-en

Hide / Show Abstract

The U.S. farmer’s perspective on biotechnology is well summarized up by two simple statistics: 1) Since the introduction of Roundup Ready soybeans in 1996, plantings have grown to 75% of the U.S. soybean crop. 2) Biotechnology enhanced corn varieties are now planted on 34% of U.S. corn acres. This rather rapid rate of adoption of new technology is driven primarily by a desire to produce more efficiently, by increasing yield per acre or reducing pest control costs. American farmers generally cite these two factors, along with a reduced introduction of pesticides into the environment, as benefits of GMO crops. Increased yield, however, is considered to be a benefit for some, and a cost for others. Those who ...